PhD students (f/m/d)

Universitätsklinikum Ulm; Ulm; Vor Ort; EUR 50.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading university hospital in Ulm is seeking a candidate for a DFG-sponsored project on the role of small extracellular vesicles in chronic psychosocial stress and PTSD-related inflammation. The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree and relevant experience in psychoneuroimmunology or cell biology. This position offers an attractive salary and benefits according to the German TV-L system, along with opportunities for career development.

Leistungen

In-house kindergarten and crèche

Staff residence

Subsidized public transport

Company health promotion

Corporate benefits and privileges

Qualifikationen

• Background in Psychoneuroimmunology or Cell Biology.
• Extensive laboratory experience and experience with laboratory animals.

Aufgaben

• Explore the role of small extracellular vesicles in chronic psychosocial stress.
• Join the structured curriculum of the International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm.

Kenntnisse

Behavioral Neuroscience

Stress Physiology

Immunology

Communication

Teamwork

Ausbildung

Master's Degree

Jobbeschreibung

The University Hospital Ulm and its employees stand for modern, high-quality patient care, excellent university research, and medical education focused on the future, as well as apprenticeships in attractive professional fields. The requirements for this are qualified and committed employees.

We are seeking to fill a position as part of a DFG-sponsored project starting as soon as possible.
The title of the project is: The role of circulating small extracellular vesicles in chronic psychosocial stress/PTSD-related inflammation.
Chronic psychosocial stress and trauma are major burdens of modern life and pose significant risk factors for many somatic and affective disorders. Although the pathophysiological mechanisms behind the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are not fully understood, increasing evidence from preclinical and clinical studies suggests that stress-induced inflammation plays a role in disease development. Factors that influence an individual's immune activity are likely to increase their vulnerability to stress and trauma.
A relatively novel factor involved in inflammatory modulation is small extracellular vesicles (sEVs, exosomes), which have recently been shown to play a crucial role in propagating inflammation after severe physical trauma. Specifically, physical trauma is associated with the release of increased amounts of sEVs with altered cargo profiles from endothelial cells, which propagate inflammation locally and systemically by transferring pro-inflammatory mRNAs and barrier-destabilizing miRNAs to other endothelial cells. However, the role of sEVs in the pathogenesis of psychosocial stress-related disorders like PTSD remains unclear.
The aim of this project is to explore the role of sEVs in the pathophysiology of chronic psychosocial stress and PTSD-related inflammation.

An ideal candidate has:

• a background in Psychoneuroimmunology or Cell Biology
• sound knowledge of behavioral neuroscience, stress physiology, and immunology
• extensive laboratory experience
• experience working with laboratory animals (preferably mice); FELASA B certification is helpful but not required
• a Master's degree (overall grade 2.0 or better according to the German grading system or equivalent)
• excellent English speaking and writing skills; German language skills are helpful but not required
• high motivation to participate in goal-oriented research
• strong communication skills
• excellent teamwork skills

Candidates are expected to join the structured curriculum of the International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm (IGradU) PhD training program to obtain a PhD or Dr. rer. nat. degree.



We offer:

• an attractive salary and benefits according to the German TV-L system (65%)
• opportunities to reconcile family and career, e.g., in-house kindergarten and crèche
• staff residence and subsidized public transport
• company health promotion (e.g., cooperation with fitness studios)
• a wide range of corporate benefits and privileges

The employment is handled through the administration of the hospital on behalf of the state of Baden-Württemberg. Persons with severe disabilities will be given priority if equally qualified. The University Hospital Ulm aims to increase the proportion of women in underrepresented areas and encourages qualified women to apply. Possibility of subsequent employment after the fixed-term contract.